Shin Bet Chief Under Fire From Right-Wing Lawmakers

A political storm erupted following remarks made by Shin Bet chief David Zini during a cabinet meeting on Monday. Zini reportedly clashed with Minister of Settlement Affairs Orit Strock over the issue of violence in Judea and Samaria. Zini stated that "Palestinians are not burning Jewish homes here" and called for condemnations from leadership.

In response, right-wing Knesset members Tali Gottlieb and Limor Son Har-Melech sharply criticized Zini. Gottlieb suggested Zini should resign if he felt pressured, questioning his stance on Arab terrorism in the region and accusing the Shin Bet of promoting a false narrative about settler violence. She recalled her past support for his appointment but stated a recent change in the organization's conduct.

Son Har-Melech also attacked Zini, questioning why he was focusing on settlers when threats from Palestinian security forces and potential unrest existed. She warned him against falling into a "trap" set by what she called the Shin Bet's "anti-Jewish department."

The controversy stems from Zini's exchange with Strock, where she accused security forces of presenting a one-sided picture of the violence, portraying Arabs as innocent and settlers as the problem. Zini retorted that Palestinians were not burning Jewish homes and demanded to know where Strock had condemned such violence, to which she replied she had done so on various media outlets.